The Furnace Decluttering Rule You Must Follow This Winter Season

When low temperatures are imminent, you need to follow a few steps to prepare your furnace before using it in the winter. While most people may focus on basic maintenance tips, like adding a clean furnace filter, are there any other tasks you should be undertaking for better furnace performance and safety? We checked with an expert to learn about recommendations for heating your home during winter. Richie Drew, VP of operations for One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, said it's especially important to remove any nearby items that could interfere with the furnace's performance. "Your central heating and air conditioning system needs unobstructed airflow to function properly and to operate at peak efficiency," Drew told House Digest in an exclusive interview.

Keeping clutter away from the furnace also reduces the chances of experiencing a home fire. Drew said the typical furnace needs at least 24 to 30 inches of clearance around it. However, he added, "Check with your system's manufacturer guidelines or local building codes for specific clearance requirements." And should you ever need service on the system during the winter, this type of clearance provides technicians with "clear access to the equipment to perform proper routine maintenance or emergency service," Drew said.

If you are experiencing increased costs to heat in your home during winter, expert Richie Drew explained it could relate to having restricted airflow from clutter. "It is important to ensure that the area around your central heating system and the area around the return air and supply air vents are free from clutter," Drew said in an exclusive interview with House Digest. "... A struggling heating system will consume more energy, costing you more to operate the system."

Additionally, poor airflow can put more stress on the furnace's components, which Drew explained could lead to more frequent repairs. The cost to repair a furnace can be between $130 and $500, although some repairs can cost $2,000 or more, according to early 2025 data from Angi. "Restricted airflow can negatively impact the system's operating efficiency, costing you more than it should to operate the system, not to mention putting the system at risk for component failure," Drew said.

As a final problem related to poor airflow around the furnace, Drew warned that excessive clutter could shorten the length of time a furnace will last, forcing you to spend money on a replacement prematurely. "Restricted airflow in the winter months can lead to uneven heating of your home, resulting in hot and cold spots [and] increased wear and tear on the system, forcing it to work harder and potentially shortening its lifespan," he described.

Beyond removing clutter, expert Richie Drew suggested having a local technician perform a checkup on the furnace each autumn before the coldest weather arrives. "Schedule a professional inspection of your heating system to ensure that it is operating properly and safely before the heating season starts," Drew said in his exclusive interview with House Digest. "... Monitor your energy bills, and if you see an abnormally high bill, this could also be an indication of a system problem or duct leakage."

If you have a natural gas furnace, take time before winter arrives to check the area where the exhaust vent exits the home for dangerous blockages that could create a carbon monoxide buildup inside your house. Without the ability to vent the hazardous gases that are created as the furnace burns the natural gas, you could put your family's health at risk. "It is always a good idea to ensure that the exhaust from the system is free from any obstructions like bird nests, snow buildup, or any other obstruction that could clog the flue pipe and cause the system to operate improperly or unsafely," Drew explained. "It is important to make sure that you have a working carbon monoxide detector and, if it is battery powered, that the batteries are in good working order."

If you're ever unsure about whether your furnace is operating safely, Drew said you should immediately reach out to a trusted local furnace repair company.